How can I prepare a point cloud for visualization in Blender using MeshLab?
Using your example I have found the reason for your troubles.

After importing your point cloud example pressing . on the numpad brings the point cloud into view. Entering edit mode Tab and deselecting all points A then selecting one point shows that it has co-ordinates of 10000,10000,132.189 - that is the one point is ten thousand units from the origin point which is located at the centre of the scene. A little trig tells us that rotating a couple of degrees while at a 10000 unit radius from the centre pivot point gives a large amount of movement, taking the object way off the visible screen from a tiny rotation.

Therefore the solution would be to first import the file, make sure the imported object is selected - selecting in the outliner may be the easiest way.

While in object mode set the objects Geometry to Origin -



This should place things close to where you want them and make things easy to work with.

If you have moved around before resetting the origin you can press ShiftC to set the cursor back to the centre if you have moved it, then ShiftS to snap the object back to the 3D Cursor at the centre of the scene, ShiftC again will bring everything back into view.